MPD 5D | Person of Interest Sought in a Homicide: 600 b/o Monroe St, NE

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch seek the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a person of interest in a homicide that occurred on Monday, July 17, 2023, in the 600 block of Monroe Street, Northeast.

At approximately 9:48 pm, Fifth District officers responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. After all life-saving efforts failed, the victim was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 44-year-old Robert Lavender, of Southeast, DC.

Previously, on Friday, September 1, 2023, pursuant to a DC Superior Court arrest warrant, an adult male of Northwest, DC, was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder while Armed (Felony Murder).

A person of interest was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below and in this video:

This case remains under investigation. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.